INSPIRING
NEXT
PRACTICES in the aging services industry

An opportunity to recognize important breakthroughs in aging services

Mather Institute created the Innovative Research on Aging Awards to recognize excellent applied research that offers important implications for the aging services industry and inspires next practices.

2020 Gold Award

Gaining a Grasp on Gratitude: Measuring Levels of Gratitude over the Life Span

Michigan State University
William Chopik, PhD

This research represents the largest, most comprehensive, and culturally diverse examination of gratitude levels across the lifespan. Three data sets of more than 30,000 people were compiled from surveys on gratitude and subjective well-being, and regression analyses were used to determine the degree to which age may influence gratitude. Researchers also examined whether gratitude is beneficial at all ages (i.e., is it more or less helpful for people, depending on age?).

2020 Silver Award Recipients

Driving Transportation Decisions

Comparing Characteristics of Ride Share Services Available to Older Adults

Enhancing Knowledge & Cognitive Abilities

Studying Older Adults’ Potential for Learning Real-World Skills

Reducing Residents’ Stress

Building Resilience among Senior Living Residents

Deciding against Declining

Motivating Older Adults to Maintain Independence

2020 Bronze Award Recipients

Navigating Pathways to Well-Being

Tracing Connections between Social Support & Health

Protecting Older Workers’ Well-Being

Discovering Wear & Tear from Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Mapping Neighborhood Attributes

Addressing Older Adults’ Health through Socially Cohesive Neighborhoods & Physical Activity

Supporting Weak Social Ties

Unraveling the Relationship between Social Ties & Well-Being in Late Life

Turning Down Nursing Assistant Turnover

Analyzing Engagement among Nursing Assistants

Get recognized and rewarded for your important efforts

Entry Guidelines:

Researchers and authors who have peer-reviewed journal articles published between March 2019 and March 2020 are invited to apply. This includes articles published online ahead of print.  The research must be applicable to a relevant area, including:

  • supporting the senior living workforce
  • technological advancements for older adults
  • programs that support health and well-being of senior living residents
  • aging in place

Evaluation Criteria:

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • quality of research
  • actionable research findings and recommendations
  • relevance to important problems in the senior living industry
  • innovation

Monetary Awards:

The gold award recipient will receive $2,000; up to four silver awards will each receive $1,000; and up to five bronze awards will each receive $500.

The 2020 call for entries is now closed.

 

 

Get an overview of the latest research that is impacting the lives of older adults

Get an overview of the most relevant research published in the past year—the studies selected as winners of the Innovative Research on Aging Awards.

Download 2020 Report